Educational Administration - Ed.S. and M.Ed.
The M.Ed. and Ed.S. (Education Specialist) degrees are 30 credits of online coursework. The Ed.S. degree is open to candidates who already hold a master of education degree from an accredited institution. For Massachusetts teachers, the degrees culminate in a two-semester practicum and lead to principal licensure. We do not offer licensure programs for candidates who work in other states and these degrees culminate in either the Ed.S. seminar or the M.Ed. capstone and not in a practicum.
Admissions
Paperwork and fees for admission are submitted to Graduate Admissions. There are specific requirements for admission to the M.Ed. and the Ed.S. in administration listed below. Once you have completed the admission cover sheet and submitted your fee, the other materials may be sent individually and will be added to your admissions file until it is complete. Faculty do not review the file until it is complete; review takes about two to three weeks if materials are received during the semester.
- Cover sheet which is completed electronically on the admissions website or may be submitted in hard copy.
- Admission statement in which the candidate clearly communicates a commitment to education as a student centered enterprise, demonstrates a record of strong instructional practice, exhibits and ability to lead professional learning, and details a strong rationale for entering a leadership program.
- Minimum of five years PK-12 teaching experience PRIOR to admission
- Proof of Professional Teaching License
- Reference letter from candidate's principal attesting to the candidate's suitability for graduate study in administration.
- Reference letter from a teaching colleague which speaks to leadership potential.
- One other letter of reference which attests to the candidate's potential for leadership
- Official transcripts
- Undergraduate and/or graduate GPA of 3.0 or better
- FOR MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ONLY: Proof of having passed the MTEL in Communications and Literacy
- FOR MASSACHUSETTS TEACHERS ONLY: Completed UMass Lowell Principal's Acknowledgment Form supporting (i) the need for the candidate to engage in field-based work during the practicum which may require him/her to gain release from the classroom on occasions (ii) the intensive practicum and willingness to facilitate, mentor and support the experiences in which the candidate must engage.
Online Learning
For information about online learning visit http://continuinged.uml.edu/education/
Cohort Model
Candidates begin the program as part of a summer, fall or spring cohort. Courses must be taken in a specific sequence. Candidates may choose to take two courses/semester or they may complete the program by taking one course/semester. No candidate may enroll in more than two courses/semester without special permission of the graduate coordinator; the nature of the coursework is too intense to allow for this.
Field Experiences
Candidates admitted to the program must be working in a school system, as each course requires field experiences to be completed which enable the candidate to develop the necessary knowledge and skills. Field experiences include: shadowing a principal; data-based improvement report; leading a professional learning community; budget analysis project; teacher supervision.
FOR MASSACHUSETTS EDUCATORS SEEKING PRINCIPAL LICENSURE
Massachusetts' regulations for "Principal" licensure are changing effective summer of 2013.
Every institution in Massachusetts which offers a Principal licensure degree program will need to seek approval for a newly aligned program. Educators seeking to apply to begin an administration degree, should be aware that course work will be subject to change pending approval of the new program. Please check back for updates. Massachusetts educators currently admitted to the program who complete their degree and other requirements by December 2013 will be licensed under the old regulations.
If you have questions, please contact: edoffice@uml.edu.
Programs of study are:
Massachusetts Teacher
seeking principal licensure must be employed in a school which uses the Massachusetts Curriculum Frameworks, where MCAS data are used and where your practicum can be overseen by a Principal and/or Assistant Principal who hold a Massachusetts Principal License.
FOR EDUCATORS IN STATES OTHER THAN MASSACHUSETTS: NON-LICENSURE